Tracklisted: Roadtrip

Much like the classic mixtape, Tracklisted presents a collection of songs under a selected theme, which you can check out below. Click on the provided Spotify playlist and listen to this week’s arrangement while you read a few words about the selections.

The best car songs have that propulsive beat, mimicking the sound of tires eating up mile after mile of blacktop. Building off Meghin’s fifty states playlist from a couple months back, why not take a trip down the highway and visit as many as we can? Songs were chosen based on their propulsive nature, beats, and whether or not they’re actually about driving/roads/etc. Explanations of a few follow, and the rest, and their reasons for inclusion, ought to be readily apparent.

Pup — DVPThe Dream Is Over

Sometimes, the reason to leave town is because everything’s gone to shit, and you find yourself “driving fast to get away,” as Pup sings in this frantic number from their latest album. Get out of town, go somewhere else, and see what the road brings.

Superchunk — Precision AutoOn the Mouth

If ever there was a song to make you speed, this is the one. It’ll get you out of town in a hot minute, as you scream at all the others keeping you from your destination. There’s no grander middle finger for the irritating habits of other drivers than this speedy blast of catchy punk.

A Giant Dog — Hitchhike LovePile

Picking someone up takes a new definition when you’re on the road. Maybe that stranger you offer a lift is the person with whom you’ll spend your life? Maybe they’re a slasher killer? You’ll never know until you pull over and open that door. Do as A Giant Dog’s catchy garage punk suggests, and don’t pretend you’re in love …

Kavinsky — RoadgameOutRun

Pulsing, throbbing, the road going by as you see exactly how far down you can press the accelerator before the g-force presses you into the seat. This bit of dancy electronic music also reflects that weird instance where you’re going so fast, things seem to slow down. That’s the moment 10 seconds before you glumly slow down, right after freaking out when you glance at the speedometer.

DJ Shadow — Mashin’ On the MotorwayThe Private Press

Sometimes, you get caught in traffic, things get real, and you’re pounding your fist on the steering wheel, wondering about “these idiots.” The build, build, build, and storytelling flow of this cut make it a really underrated piece in the DJ Shadow catalog.

Dead Milkmen — Plum DumbBig Lizard in My Backyard

Getting your mind juiced by some plums as you drive down the freeway, just sort of chugging along. It’s a simple, cyclical bit of lyricism and rhythm, and it’s absolutely hypnotic. There’s some weirdness going on here, sort of like driving in the summer heat with no air conditioning when you get a little heat stricken at stops.

Kraftwerk — AutobahnAutobahn

Speaking of drugged-out weirdness, Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn” might be the closest thing one has to a real-time soundtrack to their commute. This track, obviously, is the highlight, perfectly encapsulating the motorik beat of krautrock. Really, any Kraftwerk song would be perfect for riding along, but this gets the highway in a way very few pieces of music do.

Johnny Rivers — Walk Myself On HomeHere We ‘A Go-Go Again!

The car dies, you get in a fight, and to hell with whomever’s supposed to get you back. You can do this on your own, because you’re a solid, stand-up kind of person who doesn’t know when to say, “sorry.” After a couple of blocks this is probably going to seem like a bad idea.

Nick Spacek
Nick Spacek was once a punk, but realized you can’t be hardcore and use the word “adorable” as often as he does. Nick is a self-described “rock star journalist,” which is strange, considering he’s married with four cats and usually goes to bed by 9. This is just further proof that you can’t trust anyone online.